It was developed by researchers at Lincoln College in the Canterbury region of the South Island between about 1956 and 1968, the result of cross-breeding of New Zealand Romney ewes and Border Leicester rams.

[4]: 788 [2] It has become the second-most numerous sheep breed in New Zealand, and has been exported to Australia, some European countries, and the United States.

Successive generations were then selectively bred based on strict performance recording for factors including fertility, maternal qualities, rate of growth and fleece weight.

[5][3]: 28  Results came fast – by about the fourth generation the cross-bred line was thought better than a direct Romney–Border Leicester cross, despite the benefit of heterosis in the latter.

Fleeces weigh about 5 kg; staple length is in the range 200–230 mm, with a fibre diameter of about 35 μm (Bradford count 48/46s).